VPI HW-16.5 Manual

THE HW-16.5
RECORD CLEANING MACHINE
SETUP AND INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
VPI INDUSTRIES INC., 77 CLIFFWOOD AVE #3B
CLIFFWOOD, N.J. 07721
PHONE: [phone], FAX: [phone]

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**IMPORTANT***IMPORTANT***IMPORTANT***IMPORTANT**
YOUR WARRANTEE MAY BE JEOPARDIZED IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THESE STEPS WHEN USING
YOUR MACHINE
Do not use excessive fluid when cleaning.
Only use VPI fluid. Other fluids may contain chemicals that can damage and warp the
machine.
Drain the catch basin every six records. Open the white clamp on the drain hose and tip
the machine back approximately ten degrees. Remember to put something in place to
catch the used fluid.
Shut the vacuum off as soon as the record is dry.
Clean all fluid spills near the platter. Not doing this could cause the machine to warp. You
will not be covered under warrantee if this occurs.
Adding 25% isopropyl alcohol to VPI RCM fluid made from concentrate will give better
cleaning of dirty records, and extend the shelf life of the fluid.
FOLLOWING THESE PROCEDURES WILL GIVE YOU MANY YEARS OF USE FROM YOUR CLEANING
MACHINE.
INTRODUCTION
Your new HW-16.5 record cleaning machine is capable of giving you many years of trouble-
free performance. The HW-16.5 will microscopically clean all vinyl analog records. (A special
adapter and Vacuum Pickup Tube are available for cleaning seven-inch 45-rpm records and
ten-inch 78-rpm records). Older 78-rpm shellac records can be cleaned using special VPI fluid.
Alcohol based cleaners must never be used on shellac records.
1. PRELIMINARY REMARKS
Save the carton, all internal fillers, and plastic bags.
Claims for shipping damage can only be filed by the recipient. If damage has occurred,
save the carton for inspection by the carrier.
Electrical Requirements: HW-16.5’s are designed to run on 115 Volts AC, 60 Hz or 230 Volts
AC, 50 Hz. The shipping carton shows the correct voltage for your unit.
To prevent electric shock, always plug the HW-16.5 into a grounded outlet.

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CAUTION: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN, OR
MOISTURE BEYOND THAT SPECIFIED IN THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. UNPACKING
Before lifting the HW-16.5, remove the plastic bag containing the cleaning fluid and brush.
When putting it down, be careful that the waste hose is not caught. Remove the power
cord from the box.
If the hinged, smoked plastic cover has a paper protective covering, do not remove it now.
Wait until instructed to do so later.
3. UPON RECEIVING YOUR RECORD CLEANER:
INITIAL CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE
Examine the Vacuum Pickup Assembly. Make sure that it shows no signs of damage. Set
the assembly aside in a safe, clean place for now.
Plug the HW-16.5 into a grounded outlet, which provides the voltage required by your
HW-16.5 as specified on the carton. With the cover open, turn on the switch labeled
“turntable.” The turntable is rotated by high torque, 100:1 gear motor and some gear
noise is perfectly normal.
With the cover still open, turn on the switch labeled VACUUM. Your HW-16.5 is working
properly if you hear a loud rushing sound similar to what you would expect from a
household vacuum cleaner.
Turn off both switches.
Place your HW-16.5 on a clean dry surface. Allow at least a two-inch clearance behind the
HW-16.5 for the vacuum exhaust vent. (If you are using an alcohol-based record cleaning
solution, make sure that the surface on which the HW-16.5 is on and that is behind its vent
CANNOT be marred by alcohol.)
Note: The HW-16.5 will perform best if it is on a reasonably level surface. It is possible for the
cleaning fluid to drip over the edge of the record being cleaned if the machine is too far off
level.
4. PROPER RECORD CLEANING PROCEDURE –THIS UNIT HAS A THERMAL SHUTOFF ON THE
TURNTABLE MOTOR. IF THE TURNTABLE STOPS, GIVE IT TIME TO COOL DOWN, AND IT
WILL RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION.
Your HW-16.5 was carefully checked before leaving the factory. HOWEVER, since we have
no control over the carrier’s trucks, it is imperative that you test the machine with the first
record you clean. For this test, select one dispensable record.
Lift the cover of your HW-16.5, place this record on the turntable, and screw on the record
clamp. Tighten the clamp just enough to hold the record firmly but not so much that the
outer rim of the record bows up (dishes).

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Make sure that the Vacuum Pickup Tube is clear of the turntable and is pointing toward
the back of the HW-16.5.
Flip the switch labeled “turntable.” Squirt some of the cleaning fluid onto the groove area
of the record with your right hand while pressing the plastic handled brush against the
groove area with the left hand. Make sure to get the bristles wet before pressing hard on
the area. Take care not to get cleaning fluid on the record’s label. Use enough fluid so that
it forms a continuous film over the entire groove surface. As you gain experience, it will
become almost automatic to apply the right amount.
It is time to determine that your HW-16.5 properly removes the cleaning fluid. The speed
with which it does this will vary throughout the country because of differences in line
voltage.
Swing the Vacuum Pickup Tube counter clockwise over the record so that it is almost
pointing at the record spindle. Turn on the VACUUM switch. Let the record turn two times
and then turn off the VACUUM switch. The Vacuum Pickup Tube will lift off the record
and can be swung back to its rest position.
Two turns is normally sufficient to remove all the fluid and leave the record dry. This
depends upon how much fluid was on the record to begin with. The record can be
vacuumed for two or more turns. Excessive vacuuming can cause a build-up of static
electricity.
ALWAYS turn off the vacuum before turning off the turntable in order to prevent damage
to records. If the record is dry; your machine is working properly. If your cover has paper
covering it, you can now peel it off. Unscrew the record clamp, lift the record carefully,
and repeat the entire operation on the other side.
5. ADDITIONAL TIPS
Do NOT run this machine without liquid on the record.
It is very important not to overload your HW-16.5 with cleaning fluid. If fluid leaks out of
the machine, the fluid is not being emptied fast enough. The machine should be tipped
back at 10 degrees; the hose clamp on the waste hose released, allowing the waste liquid
to run out into a waste container. Do this every six records.
Low or high line voltage conditions will change the amount of vacuuming time needed.
The lower the line voltage, the longer the drying time will be. Make sure that the Vacuum
Pickup Tube is free of debris. Gently wipe it with a clean, lint-free, slightly damp sponge
each time you finish using your HW-16.5.
The velvet surface of the Vacuum Pickup Tube will not last forever. The rate of wear will
vary with the amount of grit on your records and your geographical location. A regular
maintenance schedule should be established. You should be able to clean one hundred
sides before needing to change velvet surfaces.
Drying the brush between uses will keep it like new.

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6. MAINTENANCE
A. CHANGING THE VACUUM PICKUP TUBE
In time, the velvet covering on the Vacuum Pickup Tube will wear. It is recommended that the
tube be replaced after every 200 cleanings (400 sides). A new tube with velvet covering can
be ordered from the factory.
To change the Vacuum Pickup Tube, proceed as follows:
1. Removing the old tube:
Lift off the whole Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly (it just lifts straight up). Take care not
to lose the spring beneath the assembly.
Pull the Vacuum Pickup Tube out from the rest of the assembly. A slight twisting
motion while pulling may facilitate this.
2. Inserting the new tube:
Handle the new tube carefully. Avoid touching the velvet covering.
Insert the new tube into the black housing with the velvet surfaces facing down. Insert
it only so far that the end of the slot is just very slightly to the outside of the edge of
the record. If necessary, use a twisting motion when inserting the new tube.
Now, check to make sure that the slot between the two velvet surfaces is pointing
slightly backwards (away from you). If the slot points directly down, the vacuuming
action will not be complete. Rotate the tube as necessary.
Lift off the Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly once more (remember about that spring!)
Turn it over and look through the black housing. You should be able to see the end of
the Vacuum Pickup Tube.
Put the Vacuum Pickup Tube assembly back in place again and put a record on the
turntable. Clean the record following the normal procedure. When you are
vacuuming the fluid, make sure that the whole of the velvet surface is in contact with
the record.
7. HW-16.5 CAUTIONS
When closing the cover the tube must be pointed at the center spindle of the record, if it
is pointed towards the rear you can crack the tube with repeated closures.
Never use more fluid than you need, fluid spilling over the edge of the record can damage
the machine. Clean up all spills as soon as possible.
Never use more than 25% alcohol by volume in solution to clean records. Use of VPI Fluid
will protect the life of your cleaning machine.
Use alcohol solution on vinyl records only! For all other records, use distilled water or a
non-alcohol record cleaning solution.
When cleaning shellac 78 RPM records, always use a different Vacuum Pickup Tube and
brush from the ones used for vinyl records. Many shellac records were made with a
carbide abrasive mixed in with the shellac.

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When using an alcohol cleaning solution. DO NOT use the HW-16.5 near a fire, open
flame or burning cigarette, pipe, cigar, etc. The vaporized alcohol in the vacuum exhaust
may ignite explosively.
**RULES FOR PROPER TUBE INSTALLATION**
Install the new tube in the tube holder with the slot at the 5:28 position. The rear felt pad
should touch the record more than the front felt pad.
Place record on platter and remove suction spring. Drop the tube assembly into the
suction hole. Loosen the setscrew in the stop ring so the vacuum tube drops onto the
record. Adjust the stop ring and tighten the setscrew so the stop ring is supporting the
vacuum tube.
The stop ring, not the suction tube, should absorb the downward force of the vacuum. If
the stop ring is not adjusted low enough the felt on the tubes will be damaged and the
tubes may be broken from the powerful suction forces.

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VPI INDUSTRIES, INC. LIMITED WARRANTY
VPI Industries Inc. (VPI) warrants this unit against defects in materials and/or workmanship for
90 days from the date of purchase by the original retail purchaser. VPI’s sole obligation under
this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at VPI’s option, of any part(s) found to be
defective.
VPI’s obligation to repair or replace defective parts is the purchaser’s sole and exclusive
remedy, and VPI shall not be liable for any direct or indirect injury and/or property damage
arising out of the use of the product or defect in or failure of the product.
This warranty does not extend to any unit whose serial number has been defaced or altered,
or to any product which VPI determines contains a defect of malfunction due to incorrect
installation, modification, misuse or servicing by the purchaser, or service technician not
authorized by VPI to perform such service. It does not cover trivial or cosmetic defects which
do not impair the unit’s normal function.
VPI reserves the right to make changes in this product without assuming any obligation to
install such change in any product previously manufactured.
This warranty to repair or replace defective parts is in lieu of all other express or implied
warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. There are no warranties that
extend beyond the description herein.
Some states do not allow exclusion of implied warranties or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above exclusion or limitations may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.